Nearby Coastal Areas Research Articles

Chlorinated organic contaminants in surface sediments from the Yangtze Estuary and nearby coastal areas, China

Chlorinated organic contaminants in surface sediments from the Yangtze Estuary and nearby coastal areas, China

Variation in migratory history of Japanese eels, Anguilla japonica , collected in coastal waters of the Amakusa Islands, Japan, inferred from otolith Sr/Ca ratios

In order to examine the variation in migratory history of the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica, we measured otolith strontium (Sr) and calcium (Ca) concentrations by X-ray electron microprobe analysis in 5 yellow eels and 20 silver eels collected in the coastal waters of the Amakusa Islands during the spawning migration season. Three migratory types categorized as river eels, estuarine eels and sea eels were found. Estuarine eels were dominant (52%), sea eels were the second most abundant (28%), followed by river eels (20%). The low proportion of river eels from the spawning migration season suggested that the estuarine and sea eels that inhabit the nearby coastal areas might make a larger reproductive contribution to the next generation in this area, although similar analyses should be made over the wide-range geographic distribution of this species, to provide better estimates of the reproductive contributions by different migratory patterns of the population.

Redistribution of spat-sized Macoma balthica in the Wadden Sea in cold and mild winters

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 265:117-122 (2003) - doi:10.3354/meps265117 Redistribution of spat-sized Macoma balthica in the Wadden Sea in cold and mild winters J. J. Beukema*, R. Dekker Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, PO Box 59, Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands *Email: janb@nioz.nl ABSTRACT: During the first winter of their life, large numbers of the tellinid bivalve Macoma balthica (L.) migrate from their first-summer coastal nurseries on high tidal flats in the Wadden Sea to areas further offshore, including low tidal flats and subtidal areas in the Wadden Sea and adjacent parts of the North Sea. In the western part of the Dutch Wadden Sea, we compared M. balthica redistribution in cold and mild winters during the 29 years from 1973 to 2002 to find out whether migration activity was related to winter character. Migration occurred on a larger scale in cold winters than in mild winters, with larger decreases in density of coastal populations and larger increases in density of offshore populations following a cold winter than following a mild winter. In subtidal areas, such secondary recruitment, at an age of almost 1 yr, was higher than primary recruitment through post-larval settlement. In subtidal areas, M. balthica year-classes were particularly strong when their first winter had been cold and when primary first-summer recruitment had been abundant in nearby coastal tidal-flat areas. KEY WORDS: Migration · Secondary recruitment · Winter temperature · Macoma balthica · Wadden Sea · North Sea Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 265. Online publication date: December 31, 2003 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2003 Inter-Research.

Pleistocene sea-level changes, sapping processes and development of valley networks in the Apulia region (southern Italy)

The central area of the Apulia region is characterized by a network of valleys with peculiar features, locally called ‘gravine’ or ‘lame’. They are short, straight valleys, deeply incised in Plio-Pleistocene calcareous sandstones and in Mesozoic limestones. These characteristic valleys cut a staircase of marine terraces. A series of valley generations is recognisable, each one of them leading to the internal margin of a marine terrace representing its base level. Morphological features and hydrogeological conditions suggest that sapping processes were responsible for the development of the valley network. As the aquifer rests on seawater intruding from the nearby coastal area, sapping processes were enhanced during interglacial high sea-level stands so that each ancient coastline is marked by its own generation of valleys. However, the longest and deepest valleys formed at the Ionian side during OIS 7. This is due mostly to a fast sea-level rise accompanied by very humid climatic conditions that increased the hydraulic head at the springs and the intensity of sapping processes. Sapping valleys could be useful for regional correlation of marine terraces and as indicators of relict coastlines at present placed below sea level.

Sediment chemical contamination and toxicity associated with a coastal golf course complex

AbstractThe increasing density of golf courses represents a potential source of sediment contamination to nearby coastal areas, the chemical and biological magnitude of which is almost unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of contaminants and toxicities of sediments impacted by a coastal golf course complex. Sediment contaminant concentrations were determined at least twice during the two‐year study period at 14 sampling stations. In addition, a combination of acute and chronic bioassays were conducted exposing four invertebrate test species to whole sediments and associated pore waters. Overall, the Florida, USA, golf course complex had a measurable impact on sediment chemical quality, particularly in near‐field areas. Higher concentrations of several trace metals and organochlorine pesticides were detected in many golf course‐associated sediments compared with reference areas; however, concentrations decreased seaward and only a few, primarily chlorinated pesticides, exceeded proposed sediment quality guidelines. Chromium, zinc, and mercury were detected more frequently than other trace metals. The DDT and associated metabolites, dieldrin and chlordane, were the more commonly detected organic contaminants. Acute toxicity was uncommon and occurred consistently for sediment collected from one coastal location. In contrast, chronic toxicity occurred at several study sites based on the response of Mysidopsis bahia. It was concluded that the impact of golf course runoff on sediment quality may be subtle and sensitive biological assessment methods, such as chronic toxicity tests, will be needed to detect adverse effects.

A review of the effects of agricultural and industrial contamination on the Ebro delta biota and wildlife.

The Ebro delta (NE Spain) is a 320 km2 wetland area of international importance for conservation. The area is devoted to rice farming and receives large amounts of pesticides. Industrial pollutants are also carried to the delta by the river. The information accumulated during the last 25 year on the effect of such pollution on the biota is reviewed in order to identify the existing gaps and needs for management. Organochlorine pesticides were legally used until 1977, which has resulted in the widespread presence of these compounds in the Ebro delta biota. Lethal, sublethal or other detrimental effects of these pesticides on wildlife in the area were poorly investigated, but negative effects on the reproduction of ducks and herons were reported. Nowadays, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are the main responsible of organochlorine pollution in the area: concentrations in biota samples are higher than levels observed in nearby coastal areas, as a result of the significant PCB inputs by the river which, in 1990, were evaluated at 126 kg yr(-1). The massive use of herbicides is thought to have contributed to the elimation of macrophyte vegetation in the lagoons during the eighties, which had strong consequences on diving ducks and coot populations. Weed control is also related to the loss of biodiversity held by rice fields. The massive and inadequate use of organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides (involving more than 20,000 t yr(-1) has produced some waterbird mortality events, and may have direct and indirect effects on other non-target organisms. The accumulation in the soil of lead pellets used in waterfowl shooting is estimated to kill some 16,300 waterbirds in the Ebro delta every year.

Sediment chemical contamination and toxicity associated with a coastal golf course complex.

The increasing density of golf courses represents a potential source of sediment contamination to nearby coastal areas, the chemical and biological magnitude of which is almost unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of contaminants and toxicities of sediments impacted by a coastal golf course complex. Sediment contaminant concentrations were determined at least twice during the two-year study period at 14 sampling stations. In addition, a combination of acute and chronic bioassays were conducted exposing four invertebrate test species to whole sediments and associated pore waters. Overall, the Florida, USA, golf course complex had a measurable impact on sediment chemical quality, particularly in near-field areas. Higher concentrations of several trace metals and organochlorine pesticides were detected in many golf course-associated sediments compared with reference areas; however, concentrations decreased seaward and only a few, primarily chlorinated pesticides, exceeded proposed sediment quality guidelines. Chromium, zinc, and mercury were detected more frequently than other trace metals. The DDT and associated metabolites, dieldrin and chlordane, were the more commonly detected organic contaminants. Acute toxicity was uncommon and occurred consistently for sediment collected from one coastal location. In contrast, chronic toxicity occurred at several study sites based on the response of Mysidopsis bahia. It was concluded that the impact of golf course runoff on sediment quality may be subtle and sensitive biological assessment methods, such as chronic toxicity tests, will be needed to detect adverse effects.

Contribution of power and desalination plants to the levels of volatile liquid hydrocarbons in the nearby coastal areas of Kuwait

The levels and distribution of volatile liquid hydrocarbons (VLHs) were determined in Kuwait's coastal areas in the vicinity of outlets of power and desalination plants. About 230 samples were collected from the selected sampling locations over the 4 seasons. The VLHs in the samples were analyzed using Grob's closed-loop stripping technique and GC with FID and confirmed by GC/MS. The results showed that significant levels of VLHs were present. The levels ranged from 307 to 6500 ng/L and from 2880 to 7811 ng/L in Kuwait Bay and Sulaibekhat Bay, respectively. The annual average for VLHs near Al-Zor power plant ranged from 465 to 4665 ng/L. Benzenoids formed the bulk (about 80%) of the VLHs present. Comparison with the levels in the outlets indicated that Doha West power plant contributed much higher levels of VLHs to the coastal areas than Al-Zor plant.

Primary production and phytoplankton in three Galician Rias Altas (NW Spain): seasonal and spatial variability

Phytoplankton species composition, chlorophyll-a concentrations and primary production were studied in the Rias of Ares, Ferrol and the Bay of La Coruna (Galicia, NW Spain) in three oceanographic situations during 1993. The observations were representative of maxima and minima phytoplankton biomass and production values in this area during the seasonal cycle. A phytoplankton bloom studied in March, was characterized by a patchy distribution of chlorophyll and high primary production rates, especially near La Coruna and in the Ria de Ferrol. High phytoplankton biomass and production was also recorded in August, when an upwelling pulse allowed for enhanced growth. Diatoms were very abundant during these blooms but while Chaetoceros socialis was the dominant species in spring other species dominated in summer, when dinoflagellates and flagellates increased. In contrast, the phytoplankton observed in December had low abundances, and correspondingly low chlorophyll concentrations and primary production rates through the study area. Photosynthetic measurements at selected stations using P-I curves indicated that phytoplankton populations were well adapted to the existing light regime. The main source of variation in photosynthetic parameters was seasonal, and no significant differences resulted between rias. Using these parameters and the measured vertical profiles of chlorophyll and irradiance, areal estimations of primary production rates were made for the entire area studied. The resulting values were scaled to the rates measured using parallel simulated in situ incubations of phytoplankton. Maximum primary production values during blooms exceeded 2400 mg C m-2 d-1, whereas values estimated for the winter cruise were lower than 20 mg C m-2 d-1. These values are equivalent to those available for the nearby Rias Baixas, but because of the larger size of the latter the annual values of the studied Rias Altas were less than 10% of the reported primary production in the most productive Galician ria (Ria de Arousa). This study provides the first estimates of up-to-date primary production values for the Rias Altas, and points out the differential role of upwelling in the nearby shelf compared to its effects on the Rias Baixas region. Upwelling events occur in localized areas outside the Rias Altas, and their associated water dynamics may cause a large export of the produced organic matter to outer shelf areas. In contast, upwelling has been detected well inside most Rias Baixas, inducing high accumulations of recently produced organic matter, that are exported to nearby coastal areas.

DNA strand breaks, cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase system activity and levels of chlorinated biphenyl congeners in the pyloric caeca of the seastar (Asterias rubens) from the North Sea

Seastars (Asterias rubens L.) were collecte d at sampling locations in different areas along transects radiating into the southern North Sea, representing areas impacted by contaminants to different degrees. Strand breakage in DNA isolated from tissue of the pyloric caeca was measured by the alkaline unwinding assay, modified to allow for the isolation of highly intact DNA. The interpretation of the results is based on the incidence of DNA strand breaks (expressed as the double:total DNA ratio or F value, indicating the degree of double-strandedness). The cytochrome P-450 concentration and the benzo [a] pyrene (BaP) hydroxylase activity were measured in microsomal fractions of the pyloric caeca. The chlorinated biphenyl (CB) congeners in tissue samples from the digestive gland were determined by temperature-programmed gas-chromatography, with a CPSil8 capillary column as the stationary phase, hydrogen as the carrier gas and 63Ni-electron capture detection. Areas where seastars showed different DNA integrity could be described. The highest integrity (0.75 < F < 0.85) was found in the off-shore reference sites of the Dogger Bank and Southern Bight. The mean F value in seastars from most sampling locations varied between 55 and 75%. The lowest DNA integrity (0.35 < F < 0.55) was found in specimens obtained from sampling locations near the river Rhine delta, along the Dutch coast and at two expected uncontaminated offshore areas. The BaP hydroxylase activity was relatively high near the mouth of the rivers Rhine and Scheldt, but also at a supposedly clean site near Dogger Bank. The concentration of CB congeners in the pyloric caeca of seastars decreased along transects radiating into the southern North Sea from the coastal areas of the Netherlands; the highest concentrations were in the nearby coastal areas and the lowest were in the open sea sampling locations. The data indicate that there might be a relationship between pollution from the Rivers Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt and the incidence of DNA strand breaks and/or BaP hydroxylase activity

瀬戸内海西部とその周辺地域における海陸風の性状

The general aspects of land and sea breezes in western Seto Inland Sea and the surrounding areas are revealed from an analysis of the wind data obtained from the AMeDAS. The study area consists of Kyushu, the western part of Chugoku, and the western end of Shikoku surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan, and the study area contains inland seas both wide and narrow. The day of the land and sea breeze in the study area is specified from the day when the land and sea breeze appears on a coastal area in the middle of the study area. The appearance of unexpected wind directions in the sea breeze situation in that area and the presence or not of the sea breeze in a nearby coastal area of smaller water body are taken into account in the classification of types of the land and sea breeze; this classification results in eight types.The type of sea breeze in both coastal areas is characterized by the developed sea breezes all over the area, except for the northeastern half of the coast facing the Sea of Japan in Chugoku and the eastern end of the Seto Inland Sea. Meeting of the sea breezes in the central region from either side of Chugoku and Kyushu is clearly seen in the afternoon. The other types are discussed and characteristics are compared with this fundamental type. The location of a significant land breeze in northwestern Shikoku is noted in relation to the well-known local gale “Hijikawa-arashi.”The results from the previous study of the relationship between the occurrence of the land and sea breezes and the general meteorological conditions in Osaka Bay and the surrounding areas are shown to hold also for the present area. By coupling the features of the sea breeze in the present study area and those in Osaka Bay and the surrounding areas, the typical features of the sea breeze for a wider area of western Japan are revealed. The interrelation of the behavior of the land and sea breezes in these two areas is also discussed.

Uptake of mercury species by transplanted mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis under estuarine conditions (Krka river estuary)

Biometric features and physico-chemical conditions are responsible for many of the variables for metal concentrations in indigenous populations of mussels. In order to reduce variations and promote the utility of mussels as bioindicator organisms for environmental mercury concentration levels, individuals of approximately uniform biometric characteristics, selected from a culture of 1-year-old mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis, Lmk., were transplanted to four locations in the Krka river estuary and nearby coastal area (Eastern Adriatic coast). Biometric parameters of mussels and their total and methylmercury content were analysed four times over a period of 270 days in 1988/89. It was found that total and methylmercury concentrations were significantly correlated with shell weight, wet weight and dry weight of mussels. The estimate of minimal methylmercury concentration in the water of the Krka River Estuary (approximately 20 pg/l), derived from the mussels data, is in a good agreement with recently determined concentration levels of methylmercury (between 50 and 100 pg/l) in waters of the same area. The accumulation efficiency for methylmercury is about 20–50 times higher than for total mercury. Only 1% of the total mercury content, and 20–50% of the methylmercury content in water filtered by the mussels, is accumulated in the shellfish tissues.

History of the accumulation of trace metals in sediments of the saline Rogoznica Lake (Croatia)

Geochemical and sedimentological characteristics, the sedimentation rate (by 137Cs dating) and the history of the accumulation of trace metals (Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn) in sediments from anoxic, marine water of the Rogoznica Lake, Croatia, have been studied. The sediment is a fine-grained silt throughout the profile, characterized as an authigenic carbonate sediment of mainly biogenic origin, belonging to the anoxic-sulfidic sedimentation environment. The relatively high sedimentation rate (0.093 g/cm2 per year) in the Rogoznica Lake, in comparison with the nearby coastal area, and the Krka River Estuary can be explained by higher primary biological production in the upper, oxic water layer, as well as the absence of sediment resuspension. The Rogoznica Lake behaves as a ‘sediment trap’ because of its small dimensions and sheltered position. The concentrations of trace metals in sediments are in the range usual for unpolluted marine carbonate sediments. Nevertheless, concentrations of Pb, Cu and Zn, in the uppercore profile of recent and sub-recent (up to the past 40 years) sediments, reflect anthropogenic influences. Leaded gasoline seems to be the principal anthropogenic source of Pb enrichment, while for Zn and Cu it may be of a communal origin, possibly due to recent tourist activity in this area.

Cytogeography and meiotic chromosome configurations of six intraspecific aneuploids ofCarex conica Boott (Cyperaceae) in Japan

Chromosome numbers were determined for 340 plants ofCarex conica from 83 populations in Japan. Six aneuploids, 2n=32, 33, 34, 36, 37 and 38, were found. Plants with even diploid chromosome numbers 2n=32, 34, and 36 were the most common and had different geographical distributions. Individuals with 2n=32 were from islands in the Seto Inland Sea and nearby coastal areas of the Chugoku District of Honshu; those with 2n=34 were from the Kanto, Chubu and Kinki Districts of Honshu; those with 2n=36 were from the mountainous areas of Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu Districts. Canonical discriminant analysis of 17 morphological characters demonstrated that the plants with 2n=32 were clearly distinct from those with 2n=34 or 36. All four aneuploids with even chromosome numbers showed normal bivalent pairing at meiotic metaphase I and probably represent cytogenetically stable cytodemes. Plants with 2n=33 had one heteromorphic trivalent and 15 bivalents, indicating a structural mutation. At mitotic metaphase I, one chromosome was markedly larger than the others, suggesting that the 2n=33 plants arose from 2n=34 plants by fusion of two chromsomes. The plant with 2n=37 was intermediate in morphology betweenCarex conica (2n=36) andC. morrowii (2n=38) and probably originated as an interspecific hybrid between these species.

Volatile organic compounds in two polluted rivers in Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain)

The distributions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in two rivers flowing through heavily populated areas, Besós and Llobregat, have been investigated. River waters have been analyzed monthly for a period of 13 months. Marine samples from the coastal area where these rivers discharge as well as from other coastal sites situated away from river influence have also been studied. Petrogenic hydrocarbons, essentially C1–C5 alkylbenzenes and C8–C20 n-alkanes, are the major volatile compounds present in these rivers (estimated annual discharge 260 metric tons). Chlorinated benzenes, C10–C13 alkylbenzenes, some terpenes and tributylphosphates are other main VOC with estimated outputs to seawater of 27, 14, 7 and 2 metric tons per year, respectively. The VOC concentrations in the rivers are generally between two and three orders of magnitude higher than in the marine samples. The discharges of the Besós and Llobregat Rivers result in significant increases of C10–C13 alkylbenzenes, tributylphosphate, hexachlorobutadiene and chlorobenzenes to the nearby coastal area. However, in the case of petrogenic hydrocarbons, the background concentration resulting from marine traffic and related activities developed in the area outnumbers the riverine contributions.

Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis and Dipetalonema reconditum in greyhounds.

Blood samples from 331 greyhounds in the Hunter Valley and nearby coastal areas of New South Wales were examined for microfilariae using a filtration technique. Species were identified by histochemical staining; 10.9% of the greyhounds were infected with Dirofilaria immitis and 3.6% with Dipetalonema reconditum. The prevalence of infection of both species was significantly greater in summer than in winter (p = less than 0.05). Infection with D. immitis was correlated with differences in age, sex, bodyweight and coat colour, and a reported lack of stamina and the presence of a cough. No significant association was found. Diethylcarbamazine citrate was used for prophylaxis in 8.8% of all the greyhounds examined.

ETHNIC GROUPS IN THE JURONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE OF SINGAPORE

In Singapore, as is well-known, there are three main ethnic or community groups, Chinese, Malay and Indian. These groups have never had any profound communica-tion with one another. However, the recent spread of education in the common lan-guages, English and Mandarin Chinese, is expected to generate a gradual social change in the traditional isolated community within each ethnic group. In addition, the growing modern industries in Singapore can be a crucial moment to reform the situation mentio-ned above. In. this paper the author attempted to examine how the recent industrial development has influenced the attitude of these different groups. The field survey was focussed on the residents of the Jurong Industrial Estate, the largest urban industrial complex in the Republic of Singapore, and was carried out between 1969 and 1974. The establishment of Jurong Industrial Estate is the nation's first attempt to provide a large scale industrial land with a big public housing estate for industrial workers attach-ed. This government plan resulted in mingling different ethnic people in the housing area. In comparison with other big public housing estates, Jurong has higher propor-tion of Malay population. According to the author's sample survey the racial segregation is rather diluted in the Jurong Estate, particularly in rental flats. A contributing factor for the higher ratio of Malay population in. the area was available cheap rental homes for the industrial workers provided by the government. Another factor was the resettlement of Malay kampong dwellers migrated from the nearby coastal areas which were acquired for the new industrial sites. Most developing modern industries in Jurong are invested and managed by foreign entrepreneurs and they ignore the old ties within the individual ethnic groups by which traditional sectors have been maintained. The modern industries require primarily English speaking young workers, regardless of any specific community group. As a result, this new industrial town is not a place for aged or conservative people whose lan-guage competency in English is poor. Only a few enterprises from Hongkong and Taiwan prefer to employ mainly Chinese speaking people. Another factor in making a plural community in Jurong is the recent house shortage which is so urgent that new settlers have no chance to choose the same community people for their neighbors. Thus, conservative Chinese in the crowded China towns seldom moved out to the new industrial estate, preserving their old ways of living and their own dialects. Kam-pong Malays in the eastern parts of the republic and downtown Indian shopmen or hawkers are also negative for moving to Jurong to get new jobs. Most residents of the Jurong In-dustrial Estate originated from the nearby areas on which industrial impacts were being intensified. More than 80 percent of the total households under the sample survey came from the local district and its adjacent areas. They are young enough to adapt them-selves to the new circumstances through which the future social change may occur. It should not be overestimated, however, that the establishment of Jurong Industrial Estate can be a critical moment for a changing feature of racial segregation. Not all residents of the estate live and work harmoniously together, nor are they eager for having a new unsegregational community in the near future. With increase in wages quite a few residents in the public housing seem to wish moving out to better homes in the sub-urban residential quarters built by private developers. Such quarters are mostly occupied by wealthy Chinese. This trend suggests that there will be three different types of com-munity in Singapore: an old independent community of lower class, a more mixed racial community of urban-industrial complex and a re-segregational one of upper middle class.

Negative Evidence and Pleistocene History: ABSTRACT

Studies of Florida, the Yucatan, and other nearby coastal areas have shown that (outside of tectonically disturbed belts), there are no Pleistocene reefs more than 10 m above present mean sea level. If interglacial times produced complete ice-cap melting, and a concomitant mean sea level rise, reef-building organisms should have flourished (a) farther north than now, and (b) higher above sea level than now. This distribution has not been found. These studies also have shown that there are no obvious large pre-Sangamon coastal deposits away from major deltas. If the Sangamon and the Holocene were typical of Pleistocene interglacial times, then classical theory requires at least 2 more such deposits (Aftonian and Yarmouth). They either are not present or, if present, are not nearly as extensive as Sangamon accumulations. Further studies of these areas have shown that there are no high flights of Pleistocene marine terraces. Those terraces within the study area commonly mapped as Pleistocene are very low features of Sangamon and Holocene age, or are higher features of Pliocene and Miocene age, or cannot be dated. Several conclusions were made from these studies. 1. The cooling which brought on late Cenozoic ice ages must have occurred in the late Tertiary, rather than in the Quaternary. 2. Melting of the full set of ice caps, during Quaternary time, was never complete, including the present. 3. Sea level, in Quaternary time, never stood much higher than it is today. 4. Aftonian and Yarmouth sea levels were (a) slightly lower than in Sangamon and Holocene time, or (b) did not maintain a position, similar to now, long enough for significant deposits to be made, or (c) maintained such a position for so long that almost all deposits were removed by erosion. 5. The next long-term trend--barring short-term fluctuations--must be one of climatic cooling and a marked drop in mean sea level. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1903------------